Chapter 1

The darkness of the night surrounded Annabella like a heavy coat, weighing heavily on her shoulders. She stood at the edge of her bedroom window, the cool breeze blowing at her silk like jet black hair. Her heart racing, she gazed out at the perfect gardens, and the high walls that imprisoned her.

Her life had been an endless cycle of luxury that came with oppression. Every move she made was watched, every word she spoke was monitored. She was a pawn in her father's game of power and control. 

Just a few hours ago, she had been summoned to her father's study. She had walked in, her heart heavy with fear and also some sort of hatred. Her father, Don Marco, sat behind his massive desk, a cold smile spreading across his face.

"Anna, it's time we discussed your future," he said, his voice cold and his icy blue eyes held no warmth.

She wondered how this monster became her father.

"What future?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper but her eyes had a stubborn glare in it.

"Your marriage, of course," Don Marco replied, his eyes narrowed in amusement. "You're to marry Josh, the son of Don Carlo and leader of the Volkolves. It's a union that will strengthen our families' ties and secure our power."

Annabella felt like she had been punched in the throat. She had always known that her father would arrange her marriage, but she had never expected it to be to someone like Ray.

He had a strange personality and she had come so far to know not to trust someone as him.

"I won't do it... You have no right to dictate what happens in my life," Annabella said, her voice firm.

Don Marco's smile disappeared, and he leaned forward, his eyes blazing with anger.

"You'll do as you're told, Annabella," he growled. "You're a part of this family, and you'll do what's best for us; you don't want to see the other side of me."

"I won't marry someone I don't love," she protested, her voice rising. "It's not my job to save you all, I'm not the Christ who would redeem y'all's sins ."

Don Marco slammed his fist on the desk, making her jump skeptically.

"You'll do as you're told, or you'll suffer the consequences," he snarled. "You're no longer some foolish little girl who can do as she pleases. You're now twenty, a part of this family, and you'll do what's expected of you."

Annabella felt a surge of anger and hatred intensify more than it ever did. She knew that she couldn't win against her father, not yet. But she was determined to fight even till death.

"I won't do it," she repeated, her voice firm as she struggled from the grasp of the first guard who had come to hold her down and she punched him, driving his head straight into the nearby wall.

The impact knocked the guard unconscious at an instant.

Don Marco's face turned red with rage, and he stood up, towering over her as he slapped her across her face.

"Lock her in her room !" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the hallway. "She must learn to obey." "No daughter of mine would defy me."

Annabella was dragged away by four guards, each holding her legs and hands, struggling and kicking. She was thrown into her room, the door slamming shut behind her. She heard the sound of the lock clicking into place, and she knew that she was trapped.

But she was not one to give up easily. Pacing back and forth in her room, her mind racing with plans and schemes. She knew that she had to escape, and she was determined to do just that.

As the night approached, her plans began to take shape. She would escape, and she would start a new life, one where she was in control. She would never again be a pawn in her father's game of power and control.

With that resolution in her heart , Anny walked over to her window and pushed it open, taking in a deep breath and feeling the cool breeze in her lungs, She looked out at the darkness, her heart pounding skeptically.

It was time to take the leap.

With a sense of resolve, she climbed out the window and dropped down to the ground. The fall was short, but her senses were heightened. She picked herself up, smoothed out her clothes, and began to run.

Thankfully she had managed to take her wallet which she tucked away safely.

The walls that had once imprisoned her were now behind her. The night air was clean but the environment was quiet, filled with the scent of freedom. Feeling alive, like she could finally breathe. No more guards or piercing eyes on her.

As she ran, the sound of her footsteps echoed through the night. She managed to manoveour her way into the last delivery truck that delivered foodstuffs which slowly left the villa.

Daring not to look back for the fear being seen. Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on the view through the windows of the truck, her heart beating with excitement and fear.

She was finally free.

But as she disappeared into the night, Anna couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched. That her father's eyes were still on her, waiting for her to slip up so that he could pull her back in.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn't let it stop her. As the driver pulled up to ease himself by the nearby bush, she crawled out of the boot filled with some weapons and unautomated grenades.

She kept running like her life depended on it and her life did depend on it. She couldn't afford to be caught by those men.

As she ran, the darkness seemed to swallow her whole, but she didn't feel afraid. She felt alive, like she was finally living.

As she ran, the streets blurred together, few lights and little to no sounds. She didn't know where she was going, she just knew she had to keep moving. She had to put as much distance between herself and her father's estate as possible.

After what felt like hours, she finally slowed down, her lungs burning and her legs aching. She looked around, trying to get her bearings. She was near the bus station. She remembered seeing a schedule earlier that day while returning with her driver from premarital shopping, and she knew there was a bus leaving for Boston soon.

Without hesitation, she ran to the bus station, her heart pounding in her chest. She bought a ticket with the cash from the hidden compartment of her wallet which held her pocketknife and boarded the bus just before it left.

As the bus pulled out of the station, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. Leaving her old life behind, and she was starting a new one. But as she looked out the window, she realized she had nowhere to go. No family, no friends, no home.

The thought sent a pang of fear and disappointment through her heart. What would she do when she arrived in Boston? Where would she go? Who would she turn to?

Pushing the thoughts aside and focusing on the present moment, she was safe, for now and was on her way to a new life, and she would figure it out as she went.

As the bus rode , she closed her eyes, letting the exhaustion wash over her. She knew she had a long journey ahead of her, but she was ready. She was ready to start anew, to leave her past behind and forge a new future.

The bus ride was long and tiring, but she didn't care. She was free, and that's all that mattered.

As it pulled into Boston's South Station, her heart skipped a beat. She had arrived. She was in a new city, with no one to turn to and nowhere to go.

 Alighting the bus, she was hit with the cool Boston air. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of freedom she hadn't felt in years. But as she looked around, she realized she had no idea where she was or where she was going.

She wandered the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the city, walked past historic buildings, trendy cafes, and bustling streets. But as the hours passed, Annabella began to feel a sense of unease. She had not much money, no job, and no place to stay.

Just as she was starting to feel desperate, she turned a corner and bumped into a girl with bright blonde hair and a warm smile.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" the girl exclaimed, steadying her with a firm hand.

"It's okay, I'm fine," she replied, smiling back at the girl.

"I'm Natalie," the girl said, holding out her hand.

"I'm Laylah," she lied, shaking Natalie's hand.

Natalie's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What brings you to Boston?" she asked.

Annabella hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I'm just looking for a fresh start," she said finally.

Natalie nodded enthusiastically. "I know exactly what you mean," she said. "I'm looking for a roommate, actually. The rent is killer, about fifty bucks but if we split it, it's manageable."

Anna's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she asked. 

The price was surprisingly meagre, she didn't even remember seeing a dollar bill and she had five thousand dollars in her wallet.

Natalie nodded. "Yeah, really. I'm an orphan, so I've been on my own for a while. But it's hard to make ends meet. If you're interested, we could check out the apartment together."

Annabella's heart skipped a beat. She had been prepared to spend the night on the streets, but now she had a chance at a real home.

"That sounds amazing," She said, smiling at Natalie.

Natalie grinned back. "Awesome! Let's go check it out."

And with that, Annabella followed Natalie to a small apartment in a trendy neighborhood.

This could be my fresh start, she thought, smiling at Natalie. As long as no one knows who I truly am, everything would be fine.